Hidden Feelings Surface

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters only the storyline.

Chapter 2 - Monday Afternoon

Scully had finished curling her hair and was waiting on Mulder to pick her up. She heard a knock at the door and quickly checked her appearance, ruffling her curls carefully before answering the door.

"Hey Mulder." She greeted him sweetly with a gentle hug. "Bloody hell!" Mulder exclaimed when she released him. "What? Is something wrong?" She asked, worried. "No. It's just…um…" "Mulder!" She snapped.

"You look gorgeous!" He blurted out.

"Really?" She asked quietly. "You always look gorgeous." Mulder replied equally as quiet. "Thanks. You've just never said before that's all. You keep surprising me Fox Mulder." Scully grinned.

"Is that a good thing?" He asked warily.

"Of course it is it shows how spontaneous you can be. Women like that. I like that." They both grinned at each other.

"Come on I have something really nice planned." He said taking her by the hand, practically pulling her out of the door. "Hang on Mulder give me a chance to lock the door!" She sighed. "Sorry." He smiled apologetically.

"That's OK" She accepted his apology. 'Who couldn't fall for that charming smile!' Scully thought to herself, smiling as she turned the key in the lock.

"OK the door is locked now come on." He whined impatiently taking her by the hand again pulling her towards the lift.

When they were stood in the lift, Mulder had still not let go of her hand, so she gently laced her fingers with his and was very pleased when he began to do the same as opposed to dropping her hand.

Mulder smiled as Scully began to lace their fingers together, he followed her lead, lacing their fingers together until they were comfortable. It felt so natural to be in this position with her. He had never intended on letting go of her hand, but he did not expect it to feel, well, right. 'This could be destiny. Me and her.' He thought, grinning stupidly. 'Is Scully talking? Shit she is!'

"What?" He asked lamely. "Mulder do you EVER listen?" She paused for an answer, which never came. She sighed loudly. "I said the lift is at the ground floor, we're going to the park remember?" "Oh, right." He replied sheepishly.

They walked over to his car in silence, never dropping hands. Mulder went round to the passengers side and opened the door for her. She raised her eyebrows and stared at him.

That look. The 'Scully look'. He knew it all too well, so he flashed her his 'shut up' look. She smiled shaking her head and got into the car without saying a word. Mulder flashed a grin back and shut the door then got in the drivers side.

When they drove they began to discuss their plans for later that night.

"So what movies do you want to watch tonight?" Mulder asked her. "You're actually ASKING me? Usually you just stick any old movie on and I have to watch it." She quipped. Mulder laughed gently.

"Scully our usual is discovering alien plots and solving cases which have any hint of the paranormal about them. In case you haven't noticed we aren't exactly doing our usual this week." "Good point." She said, grinning. "Well then what movie?" "Can you take me to the movies?" Uh oh to see what exactly?" "I was hoping you could take me to see Mamma Mia. I've not seen it yet and critics are saying it's this summers biggest film. Please?" She flashed him the sweetest smile that he just couldn't resist. "Anything for you Scully! Besides we are watching whatever I want at my apartment." She smiled again.

Maybe this week wasn't going to be so bad after all.

"We're here." She vaguely heard him say. "Kay." She said and jumped out of the car. Milder got the picnic bag out of the back seat, locked his car, walked over to Scully and slipped his hand in hers, lacing their fingers together. Scully sharply inhaled as she felt Mulder take her hand. Not that she wasn't used to him being in such close contact with her, he was just never usually this public about it. It just surprised her. Mulder grinned, he knew exactly what she was thinking.

"What?" "I didn't say anything! I'm just thinking how well we know each other." He told her truthfully. "We do, don't we." Scully replied softly. The pair looked deep into each others eyes and smiled at each other. "Scully, have I ever told you…"

"DUCK!!" Someone yelled. Mulder and Scully ducked just in time to avoid the stray football smacking them on the head. Mulder picked up the football and handed it back to the young boy who had jogged towards them. "I'm really sorry Mister." He said apologetically. Mulder smiled. "Don't worry about it kiddo, it didn't hit us." The boy smiled and ran back to his friends.

"You're really good with kids Mulder." Scully noted. "Thanks. Shall we sit over here?" He indicated a bench beneath a large tree. "Sure." She said and they headed over and sat down. "So, what were you going to tell me Mulder?" "Huh?" "Before the football incident, you were going to say something, what was it?" "Nothing. It was nothing." 'Just that I love you!' He thought to himself.

"Lets not waste this, it's really nice here." He quickly changed the subject. "Yes what are we having." She asked. "Well I've gone for a kind of…um…romantic lunch." "That is so sweet. Thank you Mulder." She said and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek. "Pink champagne?" He asked handing her a glass. She nodded and he poured her some before pouring himself a small glass. He did have to drive after all. "Do you want anything to eat? We have strawberries and cream and chocolate."

"Mmm, strawberries and cream." She smiled and he opened the box of strawberries and the tub of cream and sat them on the bench in between them. They spent the next fifteen minutes demolishing the strawberries, dipping them in the cream. For a joke Scully smeared some of the cream on Mulder's face like war paint.

"Scully, you minx!" He exclaimed as she giggled wildly. "You really look hilarious Mulder the one time we don't have a camera. What a shame!" She finished sarcastically. "I dare you to lick it off me!" He challenged her.

"No we're in the bloody park for goodness sake." She hissed. "What's the big deal Scully people have sex in parks like this every day." "I'm not someone like that and trust you to bring up a fact like that!" She said half amused, half annoyed.

"Fine then you're getting the cream on the face too!" "Mulder no!" She shrieked. He wrestled her to the floor and smeared the cream all over her cheeks and began to lick it off. "Mulder!!" She wailed like a child.

He eventually stopped and they lay there on the grass in fit of laughter. When the laughter eventually subsided they realised they were is such close proximity to each other. Mulder was on top of her pinning her down, their hand clasped from wrestling the other and their faces just inches away.

Mulder leaned in to kiss her. Their lips were just about to brush when…'THWACK'

Some children had been playing nearby with a Frisbee and had misjudged their throw. Instead of the other child catching the Frisbee it had connected with Mulder's head.

'DAMN!' They thought in unison.

Scully tried to contain her laughter as the little girl offered her apology, fetched her Frisbee and ran off quickly. Mulder slid off of Scully and let her examine his head, still sat on the grass. "You're going to have a small bump and a bruise, but you'll live." She gave her diagnosis. "Good to know." He replied sarcastically.

"Shut up!" She gently slapped him on his upper arm before leaning over and kissing his head better.

He grinned and gave her a hug. "Thanks Scully. You're the best." "I know." She replied.

"Lets go home." She said to which Mulder nodded his agreement. She pulled him up off the grass, shoved everything in the picnic bag and headed off to the car.